Tirupur : Walmart today announced that its supplier development program, Walmart Vriddhi, has achieved its goal of empowering more than 50,000 MSMEs over five years. Launched in December 2019, the program provides free training, mentoring and digital tools to help businesses grow, scale and integrate into domestic supply chains. The program reached this milestone well ahead of schedule.

The program, together with Walmart’s program partner, Swasti, offers local suppliers the chance to access training, mentoring, and business advice while tapping into Flipkart’s platform expertise. The digital training provided to MSMEs covers crucial aspects of business management such as finance, marketing, workforce management and environmental sustainability. This empowers entrepreneurs to establish successful and sustainable business models, while contributing to employment opportunities in local communities.

The program is accessible across India and has played a pivotal role in connecting MSMEs in key centres such as Moradabad and Agra (Uttar Pradesh), Panipat (Haryana), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Surat (Gujarat), Guwahati (Assam), and Tirupur (Tamil Nadu). This connection with consumers nationwide is also achieved through collaborations with the respective state governments. The Walmart Vriddhi graduates who have already been integrated into the Flipkart Marketplace, have witnessed approximately 55% growth Y-o-Y.

Jason Fremstad, Senior Vice President, Supplier Development, at Walmart, said, “Empowering MSMEs is at the heart of Walmart’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth. I commend the 50,000+ Walmart Vriddhi graduates for their unwavering dedication to the initiative. The rapid growth they have achieved stands as a testament to the program’s robust curriculum, effective delivery and the valuable partnerships forged at every step. We eagerly anticipate these businesses reinvesting in their communities, generating new jobs, stimulating local value chains and economies, and acting as catalysts in India’s burgeoning economy.”

Rakesh Krishnan, Vice President and Head of Marketplace at Flipkart said, “Flipkart’s mission is to create opportunities for sellers to thrive in the digital age. The Walmart Vriddhi program has significantly enhanced Flipkart’s capacity to serve as a preferred platform. It has enabled first-time sellers to establish connections and reach buyers across the country, democratizing eCommerce on a large scale and setting off a chain reaction that contributes to more livelihoods and greater prosperity.”

Joseph Julian, Program Director, Swasti said, “Swasti is honored to be a partner in digitizing and empowering over 50,000 MSMEs through the Walmart Vriddhi program. The program underscores the vital importance of comprehensive support systems for entrepreneurs. We are proud to contribute to this significant endeavor and committed to supporting MSMEs through our unique learning modules that are designed to equip them with essential skills for sustainable growth in today’s business landscape.”

Shri Narayan Rane, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of India, said, “As India advances towards achieving a $5 trillion economy, a substantial portion of this growth will be driven by a competitive and productive MSME sector, serving as a catalyst for economic expansion and job creation. The government actively supports the promotion and development of the MSME sector across all states.” He further added, “Initiatives like the Walmart Vriddhi program play a pivotal role in facilitating the digital transformation and growth of MSMEs. I extend my congratulations to the Walmart and Flipkart team for providing over 50,000 Vriddhi graduates with the opportunity to unlock market opportunities.”